Printing mechanism



p 22, 1959 E. s. FARRELL 2,905,087

PRINTING MECHANISM Filed April 15, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Pi 5r. 2. 0

. 1 g v03 0 II. M

IN V EN TOR.

Edward G.Farre1l Sept. 22, 1959 E. G. FARRELL PRINTING MECHANISM Filed April 15, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 H mm 1 G d M W E ilnited rates Patent PRINTING MECHANISM Edward George Farrell, Portland, reg., assignor to Irvington Machine Works, Inc, a corporation of Oregon Application April 15, 1957, Serial No. 653,006

6 Claims. (Cl. 101-650) This invention relates to printing mechanism and more particularly to mechanism for applying ink to a rotating work surface having a novel means for distributing ink from a reservoir containing the same to the Work surface. The invention has particular utility in such applications as the end printing of lumber, wherein boards are moved continuously and rapidly past a printing unit Where a mark is imprinted on their ends. The rapid movement of the boards past the printing unit, the viscous natureof the ink employed, and the operating conditions generally existing in a lumber plant create peculiar problems in printing which have been overcome quite satisfactorily by the printing mechanism of this invention.

Generally, it is a principal object of this invention to provide, for a printing machine, distributing mechanism for supplying ink in the machine wherein the ink is distributed smoothly and evenly, without accumulations of large amounts of ink in the machine so that sloppy or blurred prints result, and without drying up of ink in the machine thereby to produce light or imperfect marks.

Printersink employed in marking lumber or similarlobjects conventionally is rather thick or viscous, resemblingheavy cream or heavy molasses in consistency. The viscosity of the ink varies with the temperature, the ink thinning withincreased temperature to becometmore free flowing, and thickening at lower temperatures .until its consistency resembles that of heavy grease. Difliculties have been experienced in producing adequate transfer of such printers ink from the reservoir containing the ink to the die imprinting the ink on a surface.

It has been discovered that an extremely effective and even distribution of ink may be produced utilizing a rotating fountain or well mechanism having an ink reservoir therein, .where the ink is delivered from thereservoir to the outer surface of the fountain mechanism by means of novel ink distributor mechanisms carried by the fountain mechanism. The ink, on reaching the outer surface of the fountain mechanism, is transferred to a spreader roll rotating against and contacting the outer surface of the fountain mechanism. The fountain mechanism and spreader roll are in continuous rolling contact, so that the surfaces of the fountain mechanism and spreader roll co-operate to disperse ink delivered tothe spreader roll evenly over the surface of the roll. Conventionally, a die member is mounted adjacent the spreader roll and rotating in contact therewith so that ink is transferred from the spreader roll to the die member from whence it is applied to the surface marked.

The invention includes a number of novel features which co-operate in producing a highly efiicient transfer of ink from the reservoir of the ink fountain mechanism to the surfacetof the spreader roll. In order to produce a smearing action between the surfaces of the fountain mechanism and the spreader roll, the fountain mechanism is subjected to reciprocalmovement back and roan in its axisof' rotation simultaneously with rotation 2,905,08? Patented Sept. 22, 1959 of the mechanism against the spreader roll. Thus, a rubbing or mearing action occurs which causes ink to be substantially uniformly distributed over the surface of the spreader roll. A second spreader or smear roll is mounted for rotation adjacent the fountain mechanism and in contact therewith, to further effect distribution of the ink about the surface of the fountain mechanism. By using ,a pairtof spreader rolls, the amount of ink carried on the transfer surfaces between the ink fountain mechanism and the die member is increased which has the effect of further smoothing out the delivery of ink to the die member.

The distributor mechanisms are characterized by a novel construction wherein the ink is delivered from the reservoir holding the supply of ink to the outer surface of the fountain mechanism by means of a slight pumping action, co-operating With and accompanied by a wiping or rubbing action occurring in the parts of the distribut or mechanism. T o achieve these ends, each of the distributor mechanisms includes a ball element rotatably carried therein which wipes and rolls against the surfaces of the spreader rolls moving adjacent the fountain mechanism, so as to deposit ink carried on the surface of the ball element to the surfaces of the spreader rolls. The ball element is mounted for movement between an extended position, .where it protrudes beyond the outer periphery of the fountain mechanism, and a retracted position, where it is substantially flush with the periphery of the fountain mechanism. The ball element is moved to a retracted position by contact with the surface of a spreader roll, and moves to an extended position on moving out of contact with a spreader roll. The ball element .is mounted in a cylindrical cavity slightly larger than the diameter of the ball element, so that in its retracted position (caused by contact of the ball element with the surface of a spreader roll), ink is afforded a passage around the sides of the balltelement to the outwardly disposed surface thereof. When the ball element subsequently moves to .its extended position (as results wheri the ball element moves out of contact with a spreader roll), inkprevio'usly deposited on the outer surface of the ball element is carried in a position enabling it to be deposited on the spreader roll surface portion next contacting the ball element. I

The amount of ink distributed from the fountain means to the spreader roll and die member may be adjusted by regulating the amount the ball elements protrude beyond the peripheral surface of the fountain mechanism when they are in a position out of contact with the spreader roll. This has the effect of changing the outward bias exerted on the ball elementstwhen the ball elements are subsequently depressed, and thuschanging the degree of the contact of the ball elements with the spreader roll.

It is another object of this invention therefore to provide printing mechanism which includes a rotating ink fountain or well means, having a reservoir therein for carrying ink, wherein the ink is delivered from the reservoir to the surface of the spreader rolls and thence to a die member by means of novel distributor mechanisms interposed between the reservoir within the fountain mechanism and the outer surface of the fountain mechamsm.

Another object of this invention is to provide such ink printing mechanism wherein the distributor mechanisms delivering ink from the reservoir include a rotatably mountedball element operable to deposit ink on a spreader rollcontacting the fountain mechanism by a wiping action created by rotation of the ball element.

Another object is to provide anink distributor mechanism Which includes an element mounted for movement back and forth between a retracted and an extended position, so arranged that in moving from a retracted to an extended position ink tends first to be deposited on the outer end surface of the element, and then to be transferred to the spreader roll contacting the fountain mechanism, as a result of a type of pumping action occurring in the distributor mechanism.

Further, it is an object of this invention to provide in a fountain mechanism which rotates in contact with a spreader roll spaced therefrom, plural distributor mechanisms of the type described, wherein each of the distributor mechanisms contacts the spreader roll in sequence as the fountain mechanism is rotated, and wherein successive distributor units contact the spreader roll at points staggered along the length of the roll, thereby to eliminate wear of the roll and to produce a better transfer of ink to the roll.

1 A related object is to produce such mechanism wherein the fountain mechanism is reciprocated along its axis of rotation, thereby to produce a wiping action between the spreader roll and the fountain mechanism while at the same time functioning to move the distributor mechanisms so that successive distributor mechanisms contact the spreader noll at points staggered along the length of the roll.

These and other objects and advantages are attained by the present invention, which is described hereinbelow in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top: view of a conventional end lumber printer, showing the conveying mechanism conventionally employed for transferring lumber through the printer and illustrating a printing unit in position to print the end of a board passing thereagainst;

Fig. 2 is a top view, slightly enlarged, of the printing unit in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view, with parts broken away, of the printing unit in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a detail view of one of the ink distributor mechanisms of this invention.

Referring to the drawings wherein an embodiment of this invention is illustrated, and more particularly to Fig. 1, a lumber end printer mechanism is shown which ordinarily has a number of feed chains, such as feed chain 16, traveling over table 1.5 and carrying lumber down the length of the table in a direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1. The feed chains are equipped with a number of lugs 17 engaging the board at each end of the board and at points intermediate its ends. A roller 18 mounted under the table is provided to urge a board moving down the table against a fence or guard 19 and to support the board firmly as it passes through the end printing unit. In practice, usually a second roller (not shown) is provided spaced above roller 18 and co-operating with the roller 18 to hold the piece of lumber firmly. The feed chains are driven by a suitable motor in a conventional manner. Reference may be had to United States Patent No. 2,778,474, E. W. Dekoning, issued January 22, 1957, for a more complete description of transfer mechanism for an end printer such as may be employed with this invention.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the printing mechanism of this invention comprises a frame structure or housing Stl secured to the frame of the lumber printer. Along the base of the mechanism is a printer drive shaft 36, rotatably supported within the interior of the housing by bearing brackets 37 and bearing assemblies 38. Printer 'drive shaft 36 is positioned within the housing by means of set collars 41 and 4-2. The outer end of printer drive shaft 36 is secured to a sprocket 39, which in turn is drivingly connected by a chain to shaft 35, shaft 35 rotating with feed chain 16 through a sprocket 40. Thus printer drive shaft 36 moves conjointly with feed chain 16. As described hereinbelow, the die member of the printing unit is rotated by printer drive shaft 36 so that the face of the die member abuts the end of a piece of A lumber at the time the lumber piece is moved past the printer mechanism by means of lugs 17.

Mounted vertically above printer drive shaft 36 at one end thereof in bearing assemblies 46 and 47 is a die shaft d8. Die shaft 48 is secured against axial movement as by shoulder 49 of the frame structure abutting the lower edge of the upper bearing assembly 46, and lock nut 50 contacting the upper edge of the bearing assembly. The inner race of bearing assembly 46 is held firmly on the die shaft between a flange 51 and a snap ring 52.

Secured to the lower end of die shaft 48 for rotating the die shaft is a bevel gear 54 meshing with another bevel gear 56 secured to the printer drive shaft. In this manner the rotation of the drive shaft is transmitted to the die shaft, the die shaft and die carried thereon rotating conjointly with the feed chains delivering lumber past the printing unit.

Die member 57 is secured to the upper end of the die shaft in a conventional manner. In the embodiment illustrated, die holder 53, resting on flange 51, is keyed as by key 59 for rotation with the die shaft, die holder 58 including a number of screws 61 fastening together upper and lower members 62 and 63 of the die holder securely about die member 57.

Intermediate the ends of printer drive shaft 36 is a cam 71 keyed as by key 72 for rotation with the drive shaft. Cam 71 rides under a cam follower 73. Cam follower 73 is provided with a hollow recess 74 seating the lower end of a fountain drive shaft 76.

Fountain drive shaft 76 is mounted in the printer unit for rotation about an axis corresponding to the longitudinal center of the shaft, and reciprocal movement of the shaft up and down along its axis of rotation. The shaft is slidably mounted in bushings 7'7 lodged in the wall structure of the frame 30. Beneath a wall portion 78 of the frame and spline-connected to the fountain drive shaft is a sprocket 79. The spline connection affords movement of the drive shaft axially relative to the sprocket yet connects the sprocket for simultaneous rotation with the shaft. A compression spring 81 is seated at its lower end on a flange formed in cam follower 73, and at its upper end against the lower surface of sprocket 79.

The interior of shaft 76 is provided with an axial passage for lubrication purposes. A grease fitting 82 may be provided to accommodate entry to the interior of the shaft.

Nonrotatably affixed to die shaft 48 above bevel gear 54 is a sprocket 83. A chain 84 reeved about sprocket 83 and sprocket 79 transmits rotational movement of the die shaft to the fountain drive shaft so that the two rotate together. The size of sprockets 79 and 83 and bevel gears 54- and 56 are selected so that the fountain shaft 76 rotates approximately twice for every complete reciprocation of the fountain shaft imparted to the shaft by the cam and cam follower.

Mounted on the upper end of fountain drive shaft 76, on flange 86, is a fountain mechanism comprising a body portion or drum having a cylindrical outer contact surface 89, a central hub section 91 fitting over the upper end of the shaft and secured thereto for rotation therewith, and a cap member 92. The body portion, which constitutes an ink-applying member, is provided at its interior with an annular ink reservoir 93, the upper edge 95 of the cylindrical wall defining the reservoir seating a flange 94 of the cap member 92. Pins 96 projecting inwardly from the wall forming the annular reservoir slide into and engage slots 97 formed in the cap to define a joint holding the cap securely on top of the body portion 98.

Body portion 99 has a smooth, cylindrical outer contact surface in rolling contact with the ink receiving surfaces of a pair of spreader rolls 98 and 99 mounted on top of the frame structure for the mechanism. These spreader rolls are rotatably carried in mountings such as mountings 101 aces-cs"? and 102 secured to the top of thef-rame-st-ructure; As seen in Fig. 2, mountings 1-01 and 102 are provided with slots 1'03 enabling the spreader rolls to be moved toward or away from the periphery of the ink fountain mechan-isin. The spreader rolls each have a rubbery outer sur face operable to wipe against the periphery of the ink fountain means as the fountain means reciprocates and rotates in its mounting.

interposed between reservoir '93 of the fountain mechanism and the outer or contact-surface of the fountain mechanism are a series of ink distributor mechanisms, or ball valve controlled ink passage means, indicated generally at 106. As illustrated in the drawings, more particularly Fig. 4, each of these mechanisms has a threaded retainer sleeve section l-i0, inserted into and fitted within an accommodating bore made in the body of the fountain mechanism and adjustably positionable therein. A screw 111 provides a means for tightening each of the sleeve sections in position in body portion 90. The bores for the sleeve sections extend radially outwardly from the center of drum 90, and thus connect with the contact surface for the drum at substantially right angles.

Each of the sleeve sections has Within its interior a cylindrical bore 112, the bore terminating at its outer edge in a circular flange 113, whose inner diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of bore 112.

Mounted within the cylindrical bore of each of the distributor units and abutting the flange is an ejector or ball element 114. The diameter .of the ball element is somewhat greater than the inside diameter of flange 113 so that the ball element is held from escaping out from the interior of the sleeve section. Bore 112 .allows the ball element to move back and forth within the sleeve section from an extended position, where the outer surface of the ball element projects outwardly beyond cylindrical surface 89 of body 90, and a retracted position, where the outer surface of the ball element is more or less flush with surface 39 of the body portion. A compression spring 116 urges the ball elements to its outer extended position. As best seen in Fig. 4, this spring is seated at its inner end on a snap ring 117 secured within the interior of the sleeve section.

It should be noted that the diameter of bore 112 is somewhat greater than the diameter of the ball element. This enables the passage of ink around the sides of the ball member to outer surface portions thereof when the ball member is moved inwardly in the sleeve section. In operation, ink fills the interior of the sleeve section, and when the ball member is depressed inwardly, some ink is forced around the ball element to be carried by the outer surface of the element. Then, when the ball element moves to its extended position, this ink lies exposed in the path of the spreader roll next coming in contact with the contact surface of the fountain means. The ball elements, in this way, pump ink out from the interior reservoir to the outer peripheral surface of the fountain mechanism. Ink is also wiped onto the spreader rolls by rotation of the ball element in its mounting, the ball element rotating as it comes into and leaves contact with a spreader roll passed thereagainst.

The sprockets 79 and 83 are correlated so that the peripheral speed of the cylindrical body portion 90 of the fountain mechanism is equal to the peripheral speed of die member 57. The die member and the cylindrical body portion each rotate in the same direction, the spreader roll interposed between the two contacting the two members without rubbing thereagainst.

Ink is distributed from the fountain mechanism to the spreader rolls and thence to the die member by passing out through the distributor mechanisms onto the peripheral surfaces of the spreader rolls. Ink is then smeared back on outer surface 96 of the fountain mechanism. The reciprocal movement of the fountain mechanism serves to spread out and distribute the ink on these various surfaces. By usingba'l-l elements which may r6 tate in their mountings; wearing of the spreader rolls is maintained at a minimum. Further, by providing a plurality of distributor mechanisms and by reciprocating the fountain mechanism in its mounting, successive distributor mechanisms contact the spreader rolls at points staggered along the length of the spreader rolls, rather than along just the middleof the rolls. This further decreases wearing of the spreader rolls. The contact surface of drum and the ink-receiving surfaces of rolls 98, $9 are of unequal diameter, and thus when the various parts are rotated, which is accompanied by reciprocal movement of drum 90, the ball elements recurrently contact the surfaces of rolls 98,99 at points disposed along a substantially random path.

The printing mechanism of this invention has been found to be highly satisfactory and practical in its operation. Ink flowing from the reservoir, after very few revolutions'of the spreader rolls and fountain mechanism, becomes evenly distributed over the surface areas of the spreader rolls. The amount of ink carried by the spreader rolls may be varied to some degree by varying the contact pressure of the spreader rolls with the cylindrical contact surface of the fountain mechanism. Also, the flow of ink from the reservoir may be decreased somewhat by movingspreader roll 98 out of contact with the fountain mechanism. A further method of adjusting the flow of ink is afiorded by the adjustment of the distributor mechanisms within body portion 90. A greater amountof ink, for instance, is ejected through the distributor mechanisms when the hall elements of the mechanisms are set so that they project a considerable distance beyond. the periphery of body portion 90 .(the setting is {produced by screwing the threaded sleeve outwardly), than if the ball elements are set so that in their extended position they project only a small distance beyond the periphery of the body portion.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. Ink fountain means for delivering ink to a Work surface comprising a rotatable body portion having a cylindrical outer contact surface, an ink reservoir within said body portion, and an ink distributor mechanism connecting said reservoir with said contact surf-ace, said distributor mechanism comprising a substantially linear bore extending in said body portion having inner and outer ends opening to said reservoir and contact surface, respectively, said bore connecting with said contact surface at substantially a right angle, a hollow retainer sleeve section mounted snugly Within said here and adjustable in position along the entire length thereof, a ball element rotatably carried by and retained within said sleeve section, said ball element moving freely in said sleeve section between an extended position where the ball element protrudes beyond said contact surface and a retracted position where said ball element lies flush with said contact surface, and biasing means urging said ball element to its extended position within said sleeve section, said ball element in its extended position closing off the interior of said sleeve section but in its retracted position accommodating the flow of ink through the sleeve section.

2. In combination with an ink spreader roll for applying ink to a work surface, rotatable ink fountain means for delivering ink to said spreader roll, said ink fountain means comprising a rotatable drum body rotatable about a drum rotation axis having an ink reservoir disposed centrally Within said body and a cylindrical contact surface rotating against and contacting said spreader roll, and an ink distributor mechanism for supplying ink to said contact surface from said reservoir, said distributor mechanism comprising a ball element rotatably carried by the mechanism and mounted for movement between an extended position where the ball element protrudes beyond said contact surface and a retracted position where said ball element lies flush with said contact surface, biasing means urging said ball element to its ex .tended position, and fluid passage means delivering ink from said reservoir to outer surface portions of said ball element when said ball element is in its retracted position.

3. The combination of claim 2 which further comprises means for imparting reciprocal movement to said drum body to and fro along the rotation axis for the drum body.

4. In combination with a rotatable ink spreader roll having a cylindrical ink-receiving surface, a rotatable inkapplying member having a cylindrical contact surface of different diameter than the diameter of said ink-receiving surface and mounted adjacent said spreader roll with the contact surface of the member contacting the inkreceiving surface of the spreader roll, an ink reservoir formed within the interior of said ink-applying member, and ball valve controlled ink pass-age means for delivering ink from said reservoir to said contact surface of the ink-applying member, said ink passage means having a ball element regulating ink flow biased radially out wardly on the applying member and in this position closing the ink passage means, said ball element in the latter position having portions of its periphery protruding ra dially outwardly of said cylindrical contact surface, and means for producing relative lateral shifting to and fro between said contact surface and said ink-receiving sur- 1 face whereby on rotation of the two surfaces said ball element recurrently contacts said ink-receiving surface at points disposed along a substantially random path.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the means for producing relative lateral movement of the contact and ink-receiving surfaces comprises mechanism for imparting reciprocal movement to said ink-applying member to and fro along the rotation axis for the member.

6. In combination with a rotatable ink spreader roll having a cylindrical ink-receiving surface, a rotatable ink-applying member having a cylindrical contact surface of different diameter than the diameter of said inkreceiving surface mounted adjacent the spreaker roll with said contact surface for the member contacting the inkreceiving surface of the spreader roll, an ink reservoir formed within the interior of said inleapply-ing member, a substantially linear bore extending in said ink-applying member having inner and outer ends opening to said reservoir and contact surface, respectively, said bore connecting with said contact surface at substantially a right angle, a hollow retainer sleeve section mounted snugly in said bore and adjustable in position along the length of the bore, a 'ball element shiftable longitudinally of said sleeve section retained in said sleeve section, biasing means urging said ball element radially outwardly to an extended position wherein portions of the element pro trude beyond the contact surface of the ink-applying member, and means for imparting reciprocal movement to the ink-applying member along its rotation axis where by the contact surface of the member moves laterally back and forth over the ink-receiving surface on rotation of the surfaces and reciprocal movement of said ink applying member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 428,153 Stanley May 20, 1890 463,103 Cox Nov. 10, 1891 966,094 Hollingsworth Aug. 2, 1910 1,109,938 Putnam Sept. 8, 1914 1,275,256 Hoe Aug. 13, 1918 2,253,122 Hamant Aug. 19, 1941 2,707,434 Morhart May 3, 1955 

